Last Saturday, a day which saw heavy rain before, during and after the game, Hull and Luctonians fought out a very even and tense 3-3 draw at the Ferens Ground. Despite the rain there were very few handling errors and of course, our wonderful playing area looked just as good at the end of the match as it did at the start of it. A draw was a fair result as neither side deserved to lose but Hull will be a little disappointed that they did not make the most of home advantage and win the game.
Elsewhere in the division Fylde had a very convincing 44-17 home win over Chester after leading 27-10 to remain in second place whilst Chester, with only three wins from eight games are not showing the form which saw them as runners-up last season. Another side who have not yet hit the heights they attained last season are Huddersfield who lost 32-17 at home in the Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Tigers who have now won five of their eight games. In a close game at Otley the home side won by 19-12 against Loughborough Students who had to settle for a losing bonus point.
Preston Grasshoppers bounced back from their 34-5 defeat upat Tynedale the previous week when they defeated visitors Stourbridge by 20-17 in a very tight finish after leading 17-12 at half-time. After three successive defeats they will be glad to get back to winning ways. Bottom side Scunthorpe are still looking for their first win after losing 28-10 at home to Hinckley. In another drawn game at Wharfedale the home side drew 27-27 with visitors Tynedale with both sides scoring three tries in a game which remained at the final score for the last twenty minutes of the game. Definitely a case of ‘twitchy bum’ time for both sets of supporters after a very entertaining game. The game at Sedgley Park against league leaders Caldyfell victim to the weather conditions and will have to be re-played on the first free Saturday.
All these results mean that Fylde have taken over as league leaders over Caldy and Sedgley Park who both have games in hand whilst at the bottom Hull move out of the bottom three at the expense of Huddersfield but only on scoring difference with Hull on -34 and Huddersfield on -64, with both sides on 14 points.
This week-end’s fixtures throw up some very interesting clashes with some of them involving sides who are very close together in the table. The match of the day has to be at Caldywhere Fylde are the visitors in a top of the table game which has every chance of being a thriller. Hinckley v ‘Hoppers again is likely to be a battle when 11th meet 10th and almost as close is the Stourbridge v Wharfedale fixture where 6th meet 8th. Chester (12th) who should get back to winning ways when they entertain Scunthorpe (16th) and in a game where 5th meet 14th Tynedale should be too strong for Huddersfield.
Loughborough Students, in 7th spot will have a job on their hands when they entertain 3rd placed Sedgley Park whilst Luctonians always play better at home and they will fancy their chances against Otley in a 15TH v 9th encounter. Finally our Hull side travel to take on Sheffield Tigers who are fourth in the table and will start favourites against our 13th placed side. I am sure all at the Ferens Ground hope that the Tigers don’t finish as favourites!
Wherever you are, enjoy your rugby.
Norman Angell
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 